Springtime in Sydney

Christmas on the beach?!? Yes this is how most Australians spend their holidays because it will be the middle of summer here. This has been a hard thing for me to wrap my head around, but I am enjoying the sun nevertheless. Here are a few springtime pictures from around our neighbourhood.

"My lover is mine, and I am his." -Song of Solomon 2:16

Today marks 6 months of becoming Mrs. McAndrew, wow it has gone fast.  When I think back over all my blessing over the past 6 months I am overwhelmed. Here are a few of the things I have loved over the past 6 months; 

our wedding :)

adventures

new beginnings 

learning more about the one I love

learning more about how to love the one I love

change

love

support 

laughing 

happiness 

joy 

waking up next to my husband every day

saying "i love you" to my husband every night

thankful for our family

new friends

growing closer to one another

growing closer to God

God's peace and love 

discovering 2 news incredible cities together

our wonderful jobs

To my husband, thanks for everything these past 6 months. You give me a reason to smile, unending support and love, and a new joy everyday. 

I love you more everyday!

CM 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE BEST LITTLE SISTER!

Today here in Australia I was able to celebrate my little sister, Jamie's, 22nd birthday. Although she wasn't here with me and although for her it wasn't even her birthday yet, I still celebrated.

I have been so blessed to have such an amazing family, one of which being J. She has been such an encouragement to me over the past few years and really helped me through some very hard times. Through it all she stood by my side and loved me, supported me, and listened to me. She is the type of girl that loves unconditionally and will never let you down. Thus she is the best little sister a girl could ask for.

Being on the other side of the world for such a special day has been hard, but I send her my love and my thoughts from Sydney!

So happy birthday J, I hope it is amazing and I can't wait to celebrate with you when we come home (even if it happens to be a few months late :)

                                                        We love you! 

Sculptures By The Sea

God has blessed us with a great community group including several great singles and at least 5 couples who are newly married or engaged to be married. It makes for a fun and fruitful environment.

Each year Sydney plays host to Sculptures by the Sea, a free outdoor art festival lasting 2+ weeks. **reminder: it's almost summa down unda** The festival remains on display 24 hours a day and is open to anyone (as long as they can find parking). After work last Friday the group got together to enjoy the art, spend time together and have a beach cookout.

This might be another good time to point out that Sydney is a ridiculously expensive city. If you live in New York I envy you. 'nut said. So, the ladies in our group were smart enough to understand that we could save a bundle of dough by cooking the meal ourselves. A very good call.

Caroline and I showed up late because I was working downtown until 6:30pm. We arrived at 7:00 right in time for sunset and with plenty of time to enjoy the sculptures. Here are a few of our favorite sculptures...

Happy Birthday Mum!

How lucky are we to have two great mums!?! (Yeah we said mum)

We wanted to take a few moments to say a very special Happy Birthday to Heidi McAndrew, our beautiful, artistic, caring, loving, inspiring mum. We've missed her lots since moving to the underside and want to say 'thank you' for all of her love and support. It must be tough for a mum to see her kids pick up and leave the home, but even more difficult when they move far away to Florida and Sydney.


We want to assure you, mom, that our hearts are always with you. Everyday the actions we take and decisions we make are because of you and dad and your caring love. We have taken notice of the example you have set. We are lucky to call you mom and thank God for you daily. 

I love the way you smile.

I love the way you plan so far in advance. 

I love the way you're still the last one out of the house, every time.

I love the way you love Dad. 

I love that you never needed a recipe 

I love the huge lunches you used to pack me for school.

I love that you came to Stanford just for football games.

I love that you don't colour your hair.

I love that I go by Tommy because it reminds me of home.

I love that we share the challenge of big feet.

I love that you live in the town where you grew up.

I love that you stayed home to raise us.

I love that you cry all the time.

I love that you wear funny glasses to cover up the tears. 

I love that you love us so clearly and consistently.

I love that I'm a mama's boy.

I love that you're just so easy to love. 

I don't know how to explain it 

but I know that words with hardly do.

Miracles and signs and wonders 

aren't enough for me to prove to you.

Don't you know I've always loved you

Even before there way time?

Though you [moved] away, I tell you still

Don't you know I've always loved you.

and I always will.

-Third Day (edited by Tommy)

Happy Birthday!!

Happy Birthday my Love! Yesterday/today was Tommy's birthday, and the first birthday in our new family :) What a blessing it was to spend the day celebrating the past 25 years of his life, and I can't wait to see what God has in store for the next 25! 

Being in a new country it is sometimes hard to find a gift, or even a good place for a special birthday dinner, but after a recommendation by a friend I found just the place. We went to dinner at "table for 20", and it was one of the best dining experiences I have ever had. It was just the food though that made it great, it was everything about the experience.  Their slogan put it into words very well, 

"IN SURRY HILLS ONE GUY IS REINVENTING THE IDEA OF THE EVENING MEAL BY OPENING HIS SPACE FOR A WEEKLY GATHERING OF FRIENDS & STRANGERS. SO GRAB YOURSELF A SEAT, PASS THE WINE & PITCH IN BECAUSE THIS IS NEIGHBOURHOOD DINING AT IT'S VERY BEST. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF NORMAL RESTAURANTS IN SYDNEY. THIS IS NOT ONE OF THEM."

Table for 20 is not only a restaurant but also a ministry.  Their ministry Hope Street is an outreach ministry to those who haven't heard the good news of the gospel. "HopeStreet works alongside the most marginalised people in our city, through programs aimed at empowering people toward the fullness of life for which we were all created." The restaurant and bar are what financially support the ministry and their love for God was evident throughout the entire meal, the way they served, the way the loved and they way the treated each and everyone as though they were family was amazing. 

So if you are ever in Sydney (which hopefully you will all come to visit) you should for sure check it out, for it is a wonderful example of God's love in action.